For 11 years, the course record for the SM100 - my favorite ultra endurance mountain bike race - has hung in the 7 hour and 15 minute range.
Yesterday was a very different race from years past with a strong group emerging from the first trail section including; myself, Christian Tanguay, Jesse Jakomait, Sam Koerber and 2008 NUE champ Jeff Schalk. This year's event was also different because my injury five weeks ago had me coming in as an underdog not a favorite. In fact, I'd warned my wife Erin and her family that if they found me sitting in the grass at checkpoint 6 it would be because my back hurt too bad and I had to pull the plug!
Working together like clockwork on the paved sections and gravel roads, we sped past checkpoint after check point ahead of pace. We would break up on the single tracks some, but I encouraged the riders to stick together to avoid the "Columbine Climb effect." I knew we were about 7 minutes below the 7-hour pace for the first 50 miles.
I was stoked to see Jesse Jakomait (Cannondale Factory Racing) on the start line, knowing that having a teammate would encourage the others to pull through. It was neat being in a race with a Cannondale suspension engineer. You know someone that is strong and tough enough to finish this thing in the top-5 knows a thing or two about real mountain biking.
I had a cracking point where I almost got dropped about 75 miles in. Christian and Jeff were crushing the early rollers of a 15-mile climb. I was cramping and sure I would get dropped, I just I wasn't sure if it would be in two minutes or 20 minutes later. I somehow got a second wind and found the legs to hang to the finale. Jeff put pressure on the 8-mile section of rocky descending off the top. I was scared of crashing, so I kept to my speed. We regrouped at the bottom and then the race was on.
Christian attacked on a short paved climb, but Jeff and I chased him down. Then we hit the last major 3.5-mile climb. Christian attacked hard and I looked for Jeff to respond, but he let the gap open. I had to jump across.
On Christian's wheel I suffered immensely. Then he got some chain suck and it was just what I needed, time to take two breaths! The third time his chain stuck I decided to counter attack and take control. We topped out together despite being matched. I attacked after the final descent on the last two rolling climbs all out. I gained the 20 seconds I needed to win!
I feel very, very lucky right now, just five weeks after feeling very, very unlucky. I finished almost ten minutes below a longtime personal goal of breaking the 7-hour mark in the SM100, when I came in at ninety-percent fitness and just hoping to have fun!
What a day!
- Jeremiah
P.S. Power file to follow!Labels: Endurance Racing, Viva le Burg
In this case (and for a change) I'm the one who's done the finding. And, with a little investigation, I've also found some hints about the person who's missing something.
Maybe you can help me bring about a happy reunion.
Here are the clues:
Male, 175 lbs
Jan. 26- recently had a birthday
Has at least three bikes
The item was probably lost at the SM100 or Wilderness 101
If you are or know this person, leave a comment with you e-mail address and we'll solve this mystery. It's a nice GPS - I'm sure he wants it back.
JBLabels: Tunes, Viva le Burg
Some would say it was misfortune that lead to Jeremiah's participation in the 2007 Tour... others would call it the best of luck.
After his
podium ride in the Deer Valley NMBS race, Jeremiah fell ill with a respiratory infection, quite possibly influenza, and he flew home from the Mt Saint Anne World Cup. His fever was over 100 degrees for days and he complained of aches all over. After a week of high quality rest and recovery, looking ahead to the Saint Felicien World Cup, Jeremiah knew that he'd lost his shot at the top World Cup performances he'd trained for all year. With focus remaining on the US National Championships and the later season, he and his coach decided that a high-quality training block would be ideal. Jeremiah would skip the second Canadian World Cup to fully recover and begin a wildly ambitious training schedule. So - good or bad - as luck would have it, Jeremiah would take part in the grandest of all stage races, le Tour de 'Burg!
Jeremiah will post a full account of the pain and suffering, but for now, here's a glimpse of what's been going on.
The US flag is proudly flown at the Bishop residence for the entirety of the world's
grandest Tour, and in honor of US Independence Day.
Truth be told, Jeremiah was suffering in the opening prologue time trial, his first high-intensity after being ill. So novel to the local media, his
suffering made the news. (note in results: I think Koerber's time is supposed to be 26:16, I don't know what the listed 6:05:16 is all about.)
Jeremiah and Todd ready for stage two of the Tour. Their smiles were even wider after Todd claimed the stage win, followed :06 seconds later by Jeremiah, who would hold the KOM for the stage.
Later, riders tackled the second stage of the day with a time trial on the newly built and oh-so-awesome Rocktown Trails at Hillandale Park. Even I managed to post a respectable time, finishing less than one minute down from the pro ladies and setting a time-to-beat for my next attempt on the course.
On Monday, the Tour returned to the mountain bikes with an assault on Massanutten ridge. It was during this stage that Jeremiah said he felt like he was able to really push it again. He threw down on the climbs and moved into the lead to claim the yellow jersey from Sam Koerber. The next day riders set out for another road stage, Todd wearing the KOM Leader's Jersey.
Riders enjoy a fully supported Tour, much thanks to Kari and Lindsey C. for their support. Here, the posse refuels during stage five.
The peleton makes its way through the scenic countryside toward the mountains.
One of the greatest Tour legends of all time has been sorely missed in '07. The entire peleton has kept him in their thoughts and hopes he can feel the love we're sending over the mountains to him.
With one mountain bike stage remaining, Jeremiah continues to hold the lead and fuels hopes that the yellow jersey will stay in Harrisonburg!
Happy Fourth of July,
Erin
Labels: E Bishop, Viva le Burg
